China’s Parliament adopts country’s first law against domestic violence

China’s Parliament has adopted the country’s first law against domestic violence that prohibits any form of domestic violence, including psychological abuse.

The legislation was approved at the end of a week-long bimonthly session of the National People’s Congress (NPC) Standing Committee, the top organ of China’s parliament.

Key facts

The law aims at bringing traditionally silent abuse victims, including couples who are in live-in relationship under legal protection.

It prohibits any form of domestic violence in China and formally defines domestic violence.

It streamlines the process for obtaining restraining orders including measures long advocated by anti-domestic abuse groups.

Under this bill, victims and those in immediate danger of domestic violence can file for a personal protection order that must be granted by court or denies within 72 hours.

In urgent cases, the court must take decisions must within 24 hours. The order granted by court may prohibit the abuser from harassing, stalking or contacting the applicant and his or her close relatives.

For violation of protection order, the abuser may be fined up to 1,000 yuan and detained for up to 15 days or face criminal charges in serious offences.